Windows 7 is a major release of the Windows NT operating system developed by Microsoft.
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34 Facts About Windows 7
2.
The last supported version of Windows 7 based on this operating system was released on July 1, 2011, entitled Windows 7 Embedded POSReady 7.
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3.
However, Windows Embedded POSReady 7, the last Windows 7 variant, continued to receive security updates until October 2021.
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4.
Windows 7 was intended to be an incremental upgrade to Microsoft Windows, addressing Windows Vista's poor critical reception while maintaining hardware and software compatibility.
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5.
Windows 7 continued improvements on Windows Aero user interface with the addition of a redesigned taskbar that allows pinned applications, and new window management features.
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6.
Windows 7 shipped with updated versions of several stock applications, including Internet Explorer 8, Windows Media Player, and Windows Media Center.
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7.
Unlike Vista, Windows 7 received critical acclaim, with critics considering the operating system to be a major improvement over its predecessor because of its improved performance, its more intuitive interface, fewer User Account Control popups, and other improvements made across the platform.
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8.
Windows 7 was a major success for Microsoft; even before its official release, pre-order sales for the operating system on the online retailer Amazon.
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9.
Windows 7 is the final version of Windows which supports processors without SSE2 or NX.
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10.
When released, Windows 7 Vista was criticized for its long development time, performance issues, spotty compatibility with existing hardware and software at launch, changes affecting the compatibility of certain PC games, and unclear assurances by Microsoft that certain computers shipping with XP before launch would be "Vista Capable", among other critiques.
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11.
In October 2008, it was announced that Windows 7 would be the official name of the operating system.
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12.
On January 7, 2009, the x64 version of the Windows 7 Beta was leaked onto the web, with some torrents being infected with a trojan.
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13.
At CES 2009, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer announced the Windows 7 Beta, build 7000, had been made available for download to MSDN and TechNet subscribers in the format of an ISO image.
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14.
Microsoft stated that Windows 7 would be released to the general public on October 22, 2009, less than three years after the launch of its predecessor.
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15.
Windows 7 adds support for systems using multiple heterogeneous graphics cards from different vendors, a new version of Windows Media Center, a Gadget for Windows Media Center, improved media features, XPS Essentials Pack and Windows PowerShell being included, and a redesigned Calculator with multiline capabilities including Programmer and Statistics modes along with unit conversion for length, weight, temperature, and several others.
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16.
Windows 7 has a native TFTP client with the ability to transfer files to or from a TFTP server.
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17.
Window management in Windows 7 has several new features: Aero Snap maximizes a window when it is dragged to the top, left, or right of the screen.
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18.
Windows 7 includes 13 additional sound schemes, titled Afternoon, Calligraphy, Characters, Cityscape, Delta, Festival, Garden, Heritage, Landscape, Quirky, Raga, Savanna, and Sonata.
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19.
The Remote Desktop Protocol of Windows 7 is enhanced to support real-time multimedia application including video playback and 3D games, thus allowing use of DirectX 10 in remote desktop environments.
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20.
Windows 7 Defender is included; Microsoft Security Essentials antivirus software is a free download.
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21.
Windows 7 includes improved globalization support through a new Extended Linguistic Services API to provide multilingual support.
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22.
The video modes supported in Windows 7 are 16-bit sRGB, 24-bit sRGB, 30-bit sRGB, 30-bit with extended color gamut sRGB, and 48-bit scRGB.
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23.
Windows 7 is available in six different editions, of which the Home Premium, Professional, and Ultimate were available at retail in most countries, and as pre-loaded software on most new computers.
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24.
Each edition of Windows 7 includes all of the capabilities and features of the edition below it, and adds additional features oriented towards their market segments; for example, Professional adds additional networking and security features such as Encrypting File System and the ability to join a domain.
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25.
The installation media for consumer versions of Windows 7 are identical, the product key and corresponding license determines the edition that is installed.
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26.
In certain regions, copies of Windows 7 were only sold in, and could only be activated in a designated region.
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27.
Support for Windows 7 Vista ended on April 11, 2017, requiring users to upgrade in order to continue receiving updates and support.
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28.
Variants of Windows 7 for embedded systems and thin clients have different support policies: Windows Embedded Standard 7 support ended in October 2020.
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29.
Windows 7 Embedded Standard 7 and Windows 7 Embedded POSReady 7 get Extended Security Updates for up to three years after their end of extended support date.
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30.
The Extended Security Updates service on Windows 7 Embedded POSReady 7 will expire on October 14, 2024.
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31.
Windows 7 received critical acclaim, with critics noting the increased usability and functionality when compared with its predecessor, Windows Vista.
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32.
PC Magazine rated it a 4 out of 5 saying that Windows 7 is a "big improvement" over Windows Vista, with fewer compatibility problems, a retooled taskbar, simpler home networking and faster start-up.
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33.
Changes to User Account Control on Windows 7 were criticized for being potentially insecure, as an exploit was discovered allowing untrusted software to be launched with elevated privileges by exploiting a trusted component.
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34.
Michael Gartenberg, an analyst at Jupiter Research, said, "[Microsoft's] challenge for Windows 7 will be how can they continue to add features that consumers will want that don't run afoul of regulators.
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